Apparatus for making underwater well connections



Feb. 8, 1966 D. W. VAN WINKLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING UNDERWATER WELL CONNECTIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1963 FGo .10

INVENTOR.

Q BENZ/9L W WW mV/(LE Feb. 8, 1966 D. w. VAN WINKLE 3,233,667

APPARATUS FOR MAKING UNDERWATER WELL CONNECTIONS Filed March 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T I /4 28 T l0 :2 25. I4 8 25 M 7 57 INVENTOR. 24 1 i DEA/2A4 W Va mwae 28 k 37 BY a4- v m M W Feb. 8, 1966 o. w. VAN WINKLE 3,233,667

APPARATUS FOR MAKING UNDERWATER WELL CONNECTIONS Filed March 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 INVENTOR. DEA/ZAL W Uw W/VKLE flrroensys.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING UNDERWATER WELL CONNECTIONS iled March 18, 1965 Feb. 8, 1966 D. w. VAN WINKLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WWW United States Patent 0 AIPARATUS FQR MAKHNG UNDERWATER WELL CGNNECTIONS Denzal W. Van Winkle, La Mirada, Calitl, assignor to Baker Gil Tools, Inc, Los Angeles, Calill, a corporation of California Filed Mar. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 265,954 14 Claims. ((Zl. 166-.6)

The present invention relates to well bores, and more particularly to apparatus for establishing an underwater connection to a well bore drilled into a formation underlying a body of water.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for transporting and connecting a pipe line, or the like, to an underwater well head of a well bore underlying a body of water, without the aid of a diver.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for conveying and guiding a pipe line laterally from a location externally of a body of water to a well bore underlying the body of water and for then connecting the pipe line to the well bore, all without the aid of a diver. In a more limited sense, the invention has for an objective the conveying of a pipe line from the shore of a body of water to the well location and connecting the pipe line to the well without requiring the assistance of a diver.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. it will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view, partly diagrammatic and partly in longitudinal section, of an underwater well head apparatus in association with a barge floating in a body of water, prior to connection of the apparatus to well casing projecting upwardly from the floor of the body of water;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 2-2 on FIG. 1, with the well head apparatus coupled to the well casing;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the clamp portion of the apparatus in open condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section through that portion of the well head apparatus which is coupled to the well casing;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the well head apparatus connected to the casing, and with a pipe line extending from the shore being moved toward coupling relation to the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section, partly shown in elevation, of a portion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 6 just prior to engagement of the end of the pipe line therewith;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 disclosing the pipe line coupled to the well head apparatus;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section, partly shown in elevation, of a portion of the well head apparatus coupled to the pipe line.

As shown in the drawings, it is desired to convey a pipe line P (FIGS. 6 to 9), or the like, laterally from a region externally of a body of water W to the location of a well bore A below the body of water, the pipe line then being connected to the well bore below the surface of the water as to a well head apparatus B disposed in the water ad- ICC jacent to the floor F of the body of Water, which can be an ocean, the well bore being located a substantial distance from the shore S of the ocean.

As shown, the well head apparatus B is first connected to a string of surface casing or pipe C extending into the Well bore and projecting a short distance above the ocean floor F. A suitable pad G may have been provided on the ocean floor surrounding the pipe C, the lower end of vertical guide cables It) being secured to the pad and extending upwardly to a barge or platform H floating in the water. The guide cables 10 are maintained in tension in any suitable manner as by use of winches. (not shown) mounted on the barge. The floating barge or platform H has a suitable derrick I mounted thereon by means of which equipment may be lowered to and from the well, and the well head apparatus B lowered in the body of water for connection to the surface casing C.

The mechanism for effecting a leakproof connection with the surface casing or pipe C is shown, described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 267,537, filed March 25, 1963 for Remotely Operated Underwater Connection Apparatus. As described in this application, the surface casing or pipe C terminates in an upper flange 11 having an inner seal ring groove 12, the opposed walls of which taper downwardly toward each other, the flange also having an external groove 13 extending downwardly from its upper surface. The well head apparatus B is lowered from the barge or platform H through the body of water and is connectible in ieakproof relation to the surface casing. The well head apparatus can be lowered from the barge by means of a tubing string T connected to a head, from which a lower tubing Y depends; which can finally project into the well casing. The head B includes a horizontal flange 14 having an inner lower groove 15', the side walls of which converge upwardly toward each other. This flange also has a depending circumferential skirt is adapted to fit downwardly within the outer groove 13 of the lower flange 11. The skirt may also carry a suitable seal ring 17, such as a rubber or rubber-like O ring, adapted to seal against the inner wall of the outer groove 13 of the casing flange.

Carried by the upper flange 14 is a seal ring 18, the upper end of which is tapered to conform to the inclination of the side walls of the upper groove 15 and being disposed therein. This seal ring is suitably secured to the upper flange 14, as by having inwardly directed tabs 19 integral therewith and attached, as by welding, to the flange. The lower portion of this seal ring 18 is also tapered to conform to the taper of the walls of the lower flange groove 12, being adapted to fit therewithin. The seal ring 18 may be made of any suitable material, as, for example, mild steel or the like, adapted to fit within the opposed flange grooves 12, 15 and seal firmly against their respective side walls.

The well head apparatus B is lowered through the body of water by means of the tubing string T to place the upper flange 14 in contact with the lower flange 11, after which the upper flange is shifted towards the lower flangev to clamp the seal ring 18 therebetween. As disclosed, a frame 26 is suitably attached to the head 13 adjacent to the flange 1-4, this frame including a horizontal cross-member 21 suitably secured to the tubing T and-extending outwardly therefrom in diametrically opposite directions. Vertical tubular guides 22 are secured to the end portions of the cross-member through which the guidecables or lines lit pass to appropriately guide the Well head apparatus B to the location of the flange ll of the surface casing or pipe C. Rotatably mounted in the cross-member 21 of the frame and on opposite sides of the flange 14 are a pair of horizontal drive shafts 23 journaled in horizontal end frame supports 24 substantially parallel to the cross-member. Each drive shaft has a right-hand threaded feed screw portion on one side of the crossmember, and a left-hand threaded feed screw portion 26 on the other side of the cross-member, these feed screw shaft portions being threadedly received within companion internally threaded bosses 27 secured to and extending outwardly from opposed clamp jaws 28 adapted to receive the upper and lower flanges 14, 11, the clamp jaws initially being disposed in their radially outward position (FIG. 4). Each clamp jaw 28 is arcuate in shape, the clamp jaws having opposed arcuate grooves 29 therein conforming to the curvature of the upper and lower flanges 14, 11, with the upper and lower side walls '30, 31 of each arcuate groove diverging from each other in an inward direction and being adapted to engage companion tapered surfaces 32, 33 on the upper and lower flanges. The feed screw shafts 23 are rotated by a motor '34, such as a fluid motor, coupled to one of the shafts, the rotary motion of such shaft being transmitted to the opposite shaft 23in any suitable manner, as by securing sprockets 35 on the end portions of such shafts outwardly of one of the end frame supports 24 and interconnecting :such sprockets through an intervening endless chain 36.

The fluid motor 34 can be of any suitable type, such as a Van or gear type, fluid pressure being pumped from the barge H at the Water surface through a first fluid line 37 to the motor,'the fluid passing back from the line to the barge through a second fluid line 38. Both of the line; are flexible. If desired, high pressure hoses can be 'use When it is desired to connect the well head apparatus B to the surface casing C, the former is attached to the tubing string T, the combination being supported from the derrick J and lowered through the water W, the cables 10 acting as guide lines until the skirt 16 enters the groove 13 in the lower flange 11. During such lowering motion and prior to entry of the skirt into the lower flange groove '13, the clamp jaws 28 are separated so that their lower portions clear the lower flange. However, the upper tapered surfaces 30 of the clamp jaws are always disposed in transverse alignment with the tapered surface 32 of the upper flange '14, inward movement of the jaws causing the upper jaw surfaces 30 to engage the upper tapered surface 32.

Followingentry of the skirt 16 into the groove 13, the fluid motor 34 is actuated in the proper direction by pumping fluid under pressure, such as a hydraulic liquid, down through one of the lines 37 to rotate the motor in the'appropriate direction and thereby rotate both drive or feed screw shafts 23. Such rotation causes the jaws 28 to shift inwardly toward one another, the upper tapered jaw surfaces 30 engaging the companion tapered surface 32 of the upper flange 14 and the lower tapered jaw surfaces 31 moving inwardly into engagement with the tapered surface 33 of the lower flange 11. As the jaws 28 move radially inwardly toward each other, the upper flange 14 is forced downwardly toward the lower flange 11, exerting a substantial axial pressure on the seal ring 18 and providing an intimate seal between this ring and the tapered walls of both the upper flange groove 15 and the lower flange groove 12. When a firm leakproof seal has been thus provided, the side seal ring 17 of the skirt is disposed'in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the outer groove 13 of the lower flange, there being an annular seal space 46 defined between the skirt 16 and the metal seal ring 18.

The fluid or hydraulic pressure can now be relieved, if desired, the clamp jaws 28 remaining in their inward position to hold the flanges 11, 14 clamped firmly against the intervening seal ring 18, providing a leakproof connection between the upper head apparatus B and the lower surface casing or pipe C, through which fluid cannot pass between the interior of the casing and well head apparatus and their exterior.

After the connection has been established, the efficacy of the seal can be tested. A flexible tubular test line 41 extends from the barge or platform H to the upper flange 1d, communicating with a test port 42 opening into the annular space 49 between the metal seal ring and the skirt. Suitable fluid pressure can be imposed on the fluid in this space 40 through the test line 41. If no loss of pressure occurs, there is, of course, no leakage through the metal seal 18.

The well head apparatus B that has been lowered from the barge through the body of water also includes guiding, centering and connecting apparatus K for the pipe line P that extends from a location laterally of and remote from the well bore A. As shown, the well head apparatus B includes a lateral sectional line 55 connected in any suitable manner to the tubing string T above the' fl-ange 14. Thus, an elbow '51 is suitably attached to the tubing string, which is also attached to a lateral line section52 connected to another elbow 53 secured to a vertical downwardly extending pipe section 54, which is, in turn, suitably attached to a curved section '55 terminating in a vertical flange Edhaving an end groove 57 provided with tapered side walls and also an outwardly directed axial skirt 58 having an inner wall 59 diverging in an outward direction. A suitable supporting frame 60 is also carried by the curved section or housing '55 for supporting a clamping jaw device 61, which can be substantially identical with the movable clamp jaw apparatus 20-33 used for securing the well head apparatus flange 14 to the casing fiane 11. Thus, the apparatus carried by the housing will have a fluid motor 62 for driving interconnected right and left hand threaded feed screw -shafts"63--for threadedly moving opposed clamp jaws '64 toward each other, these clamp jaws having opposed arcuate grooves 65, the side walls 66 of which diverge in an inward direction. The housing flange 56 has an external tapered surface 67 companion to the tapered surfaces 66 of the jaws at one side of the apparatus, these tapered surfaces 66, 67 being in alignment with each other when the jaws are in their expanded or open position (FIGS. 1, 7).

The well head apparatus B also includes a mechanism for guiding the pipe line P to the well head so that it can be clamped to the vertical flange 56 of the latter. As shown, a cable 7% extends from the barge H through the water and through the flange 56 into the housing 55, this cable passing through an opening 71 in a curved guide wall 72 of the housing, and then around a grooved sheave 73 rotatably mounted on a shaft 74 suitably secured to the housing and to an end Wall or closure 75 for the housing, which is suitably clamped in leakproof relation to the main body of the housing by bolts 76 extending through opposed flanges 77 on the main body of the housing and the end closure. The cable 70 extends around the sheave "73 and then lengthwise of the housing through another opening 78 in the curved housing guide wall, passing out through the flange 56 and back up to the barge H. Suitable fluid lines 7?, 30 extend from the hydraulic motor 62 of the clamp apparatus 61 to the barge, as shown in FIG. 1, so that fluid pumped down through one line can rotate the motor in the proper direction to shift the clamp jaws 64 toward each other.

The apparatus B illustrated in FIG. 1 is lowered from the barge H through the body of water W, and the head flange 14 clamped to the surface casing flange 11 in the manner described above, with both runs of the cable 70 extending outwardly of the housing 55 and up to the barge. After the well head B has been connected in leakproof relation to the surface casing C, the cable 70 is transported in any suitable manner from the barge H to another location, such as the shore S of the ocean, or other body of water, so that the cables then extend laterally from the housing 55 to the shore, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The cable 70 is of an appropriate length to extend the required distance from the well head B to the desired location on the shore. A string of pipe P to be connected to the well head, and of the appropriate length, is then slipped over both runs 70a, 79b of the cable, the

pipe being made of appropriate sections suitably con nected to one another, as by threading, until the required length of pipe P has been made up. One end 89 of the cable is then connected to an end of the pipe remote from the body of water and the other end of the cable is attached to a suitable winch 81. The winch 81 is rotated in the proper direction to pull one run 70b of the cable, such as the lower run illustrated, toward the shore, the other run 70a of the cable passing around the sheave 73 and pulling the string of pipe along both cable runs into and through the water W toward the well head B. If desired, the pipe may have suitable float or buoyant devices 82 mounted at suitable intervals along its length to support part of its weight in the water. The operation of the winch is continued until the end of the pipe confronts the housing flange 56. The end of the pipe is constituted as a head 83 suitably secured to an adjacent pipe section, such as by being threadedly attached thereto, this head having a tapered forward portion 84 conforming to the inner tapered wall 59 of the other flange 56 to be centered thereby, a suitable metal seal ring 85 being received in a tapered groove 86 in the head 83 and being attached thereto. The seal ring 85 has a tapered portion 87 adapted to fit within the tapered groove 57 of the housing flange 56. The ead or flange 83 also has a tapered surface 38 companion to the internal tapered surfaces 66 of the clamp jaws 64.

Actuation of the winch 81 is continued until the head 83 is centered within the flange 56. Fluid under pressure is then pumped through one of the lines 79, St to rotate the fluid motor 62 in a proper direction to rotate the feed screw shafts 63 in the proper direction and move the clamp jaws 64 inwardly toward each other, the clamp jaws engaging the tapered surfaces 67, S8 of the flanges 56, 83 and moving the pipe flange 83 inwardly toward the housing flange, firmly engaging the seal ring 85 within the confronting grooves 57, Se in leairproof relation (FIGS. 8, 9). When such connection between the flanges 56, 83 has been made, the remote end of the pipe P will still be disposed on shore S. A suitable leakproof connection can be made at the shore end of the pipe and pressure applied thereto to determine whether the joint is leakproof. If the pressure test indicates no leaking occurs, the end 80 of the cable 70 can be disconnected from the shore end of the pipe and the winch 81 rotated to Wind all of the cable thereon, the cable being pulled around the sheave '73 and all of it withdrawn from the pipe. Appropriate connection of the pipe P can then be made to shore installations, such as tanks and the like.

The well head apparatus B may include fluid actuated control valves 9%, 91 for suitably controlling the flow of fluid between the well bore A and the pipe line P. Such valves may be controlled by fluid pressure from the barge or vessel H applied through the lines 92, 93.

Because of the curvature of the sections in the lateral line 59 extending from the vertical tubing string T to the pipe line P, certain apparatus can also be forced through the pipe line P and into the tubing string Y extending into the well bore A, to accomplish desirable functions therein, such apparatus also being removable from the well bore and through the pipe line P to an onshore location. Guiding of such apparatus is facilitated by the curved wall 72 in the housing section 55 through which the cable it? initially extends.

In the event the well A is located at too great a distance from the shore, a pipe line P can still be connected to the well head through aid of the apparatus disclosed and described, the pipe line extending to a location laterally removed from the well bore, as to a platform (not shown) at the surface of the water W, or to a barge floating on the ,surfaceof the water and anchored at a specific location therein.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of 6 water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means and cable means extending through said first joint means to a location laterally remote from means, and means connected to said fastening means,

and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and second joint means and force said first: and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

2. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a first joint means and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said first joint means to a location laterally remote from the Well head device; a pipe line device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a second joint means, said pipe line device being movable laterally along said cable toward said well head device to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of. the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and second joint means and force said first and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

3. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a first joint means and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said first joint means to a location laterally remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a second joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said pipe line device at said laterally remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said pipe line device along said cable toward said well head device to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and second joint means and force said first and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

4. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a wellhead device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means and cable means extending through said first joint means to a location remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which said cable means extends and having a second joint means, said pipe line device being movable along said cable means toward said well head device to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means securing said cable means to said pipe line device whereby pulling on said cable means moves said pipe line device along said cable means toward said well head device; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and secnd joint means. and force said first. and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

5. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted-therein, a first joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runsof theca'ble extending through said first joint meanstoa location remote from the wellhead device;

a tubulardev-ice through which the runs of the cable extend -and having a second joint means, said tubular device being movable along-said cable toward said well headdevice'to place-said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first jointmeans; one of said devices includingfaste'ning means, and means connected to said fastening "means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engagesaid fastening means-with said first and second'joi'nt means and force saidfirst and secondjoint means -.toward each other in leakproof relation.

6."Inapparatus for use in conjunction with awell bore drilledin the formation-from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore'and disposed adjacent to the= fioor, said device havingafsheave-rotatably mounted therein,-a-first joint means-,-anda cable-passing around said sheavewith the opposite'runs -of-the cable extending through saidfirst joint-means toa location remote fromthe wellhead device; a tubular device through which the runs of'the cable extend and having a'second joint means; means detachably'securing one run of said cable to said tubular device at some remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in adirection away fromsaid sheave to move said tubular device along said cable toward said well head device to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means'connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said firstand second joint means and force said first and second joint means toward each other in 'le'akproof relation.

7. In apparatus 'for use in'conjunctionwith a well bore drilled in'the formation'from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to'the floor, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a first joint means and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said first joint means to a location laterally remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a second joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said pipe line device at said laterally remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said pipe line'device along said cable toward said well headdevice to place said 'second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and second joint means and force said first and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation, said securing means being detachable to release said cable from said pipe line device and enable said pulling means to pull said cable from both of said devices.

8. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a well head device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a sheave rotatably mount-ed therein, a first joint means,

and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said first joint means to a location remote from the well head device; a tubular device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a second joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said tubular device at said remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said tubular device along said cable toward said Well head device to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; one of said devices including a fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said first and second joint means and force said first and second joint means toward each other in leakproof relation, said securing means being detachable to release said cable from said tubular device and enable said pulling means to pull said cable fromboth of said devices.

9. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a'well 'bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a' location adjacent to said first joint means to alocation externally of the body of water; a well head-device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation; saidwell'he-ad device having a third joint means and cable means extending through said third joint means to a location laterally remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which said cable means extends and having a fourth joint means, said pipe line device being movable laterally along said cable means toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent toand confronting said third joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable home location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with'said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

iii. In apparatus for use in conjunction With a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a location adjacent to said first joint means to a location externally of the body of water; a well head device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a third joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending-through said third joint means to a location laterally remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a fourth joint means, said pipe line devicebeing movable laterally along said cable toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent to and confronting said third joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in eakproof relation.

11. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the format-ion from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a location adjacent to said first joint means to a location externally of the body of Water; a wellhead device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation, said device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a third joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said third joint means to a location laterally remote from the well head device; a pipe line device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a fourth joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said pipe line device at said laterally remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said pipe line device along said cable toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent to and confronting said third joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

12. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the Well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a location adjacent to said first joint means to a location externally of the body of water; a well head device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation; said well head device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a third joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said third joint means to a location remote from the well head device; a tubular device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a fourth joint means, said tubular device being movable along said cable toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent to and confronting said third joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

13. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a location adjacent to said first joint means to a location externally of the body of water; a well head device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation; said well head device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a third joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said third joint means to a location remote from the well head device; a tubular device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a fourth joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said tubular device at said remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said tubular device along said cable toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent to and confronting said third joint means; one or" said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of Water to engage said fastening means with said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in leakproof relation.

14. In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: an instrumentality operatively associated with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor and having a first joint means; guide means extending from a location adjacent to said first joint means to a location externally of the body of water; a well head device having a second joint means and movable along the guide means to place said second joint means adjacent to and confronting said first joint means; means controllable from a location externally of the body of water to secure said first and second joint means to each other in leakproof relation; said well head device having a sheave rotatably mounted therein, a third joint means, and a cable passing around said sheave with the opposite runs of the cable extending through said third joint means to a location remote from the well head device; a tubular device through which the runs of the cable extend and having a fourth joint means; means detachably securing one run of said cable to said tubular device at said remote location; pulling means connected to the other run of said cable to pull said other run in a direction away from said sheave to move said tubular device along said cable toward said well head device to place said fourth joint means adjacent to and confronting said third joint means; one of said devices including fastening means, and means connected to said fastening means and controllable from a location externally of the body of water to engage said fastening means with said third and fourth joint means and force said third and fourth joint means toward each other in leakproof relation; said securing means being detachable to release said cable from said tubular device and enable said pulling means to pull said cable from both of said devices.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,766,829 10/ 1956 Watts et al. 166-75 2,956,818 10/1960 Dickerson et al. 285-48 3,012,610 12/1961 Bauer et al. 166-66.5 3,021,909 2/1962 Postlewaite -7 3,052,299 9/1962 Geer et al. 166-665 3,086,590 4/1963 Jackson et al. 16666.5 3,096,999 7/1963 Alhlstone et a1 175-7 X FOREIGN PATENTS 874,178 8/1961 Great Britain.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A WELL BORE DRILLED IN THE FORMATION FROM A FLOOR BELOW A BODY OF WATER: A WELL HEAD DEVICE COMMUNICABLE WITH THE WELL BORE AND DISPOSED ADJACENT TO THE FLOOR, SAID DEVICE HAVING A FIRST JOINT MEANS AND CABLE MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FIRST JOINT MEANS TO A LOCATION LATERALLY REMOTE FROM THE WELL HEAD DEVICE; A PIPE LINE DEVICE THROUGH WHICH SAID CABLE MEANS EXTENDS AND HAVING A SECOND JOINT MEANS, SAID PIPE LINE DEVICE BEING MOVABLE LATERALLY ALONG SAID CABLE MEANS TOWARD SAID WELL HEAD DEVICE TO PLACE 